Part 33

025:019 But they quarrelled with him about certain matters connected with their own religion, and about one Jesus who had died, but-- so Paul persistently maintained--is now alive.

025:020 I was at a loss how to investigate such questions, and asked Paul whether he would care to go to Jerusalem and there stand his trial on these matters.

025:021 But when Paul appealed to have his case kept for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him to be kept in prison until I could send him up to Caesar."

025:022 "I should like to hear the man myself," said Agrippa. "to-morrow," replied Festus, "you shall." Accordingly, the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came in state

025:023 and took their seats in the Judgement Hall, attended by the Tribunes and the men of high rank in the city; and, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

025:024 Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see here the man about whom the whole nation of the Jews made suit to me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

025:025 I could not discover that he had done anything for which he deserved to die; but as he has himself appealed to the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.

025:026 I have nothing very definite, however, to tell our Sovereign about him. So I have brought the man before you all-- and especially before you, King Agrippa--that after he has been examined I may find something which I can put into writing.

025:027 For, when sending a prisoner to Rome, it seems to me to be absurd not to state the charges against him."

026:001 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak about yourself." So Paul, with outstretched arm, proceeded to make his defence.

026:002 "As regards all the accusations brought against me by the Jews," he said, "I think myself fortunate, King Agrippa, in being about to defend myself to-day before you,

026:003 who are so familiar with all the customs and speculations that prevail among the Jews; and for this reason, I pray you, give me a patient hearing.

026:004 "The kind of life I have lived from my youth upwards, as exemplified in my early days among my nation and in Jerusalem, is known to all the Jews.

026:005 For they all know me of old--if they would but testify to the fact-- how, being an adherent of the strictest sect of our religion, my life was that of a Pharisee.

026:006 And now I stand here impeached because of my hope in the fulfilment of the promise made by God to our forefathers--

026:007 the promise which our twelve tribes, worshipping day and night with intense devotedness, hope to have made good to them. It is on the subject of this hope, Sir, that I am accused by the Jews.

026:008 Why is it deemed with all of you a thing past belief if God raises the dead to life?

026:009 "I myself, however, thought it a duty to do many things in hostility to the name of Jesus, the Nazarene.

026:010 And that was how I acted in Jerusalem. Armed with authority received from the High Priests I shut up many of God's people in various prisons, and when they were about to be put to death I gave my vote against them.

026:011 In all the synagogues also I punished them many a time, and tried to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury I chased them even to foreign towns.

026:012 "While thus engaged, I was travelling one day to Damascus armed with authority and a commission from the High Priests,

026:013 and on the journey, at noon, Sir, I saw a light from Heaven-- brighter than the brightness of the sun--shining around me and around those who were travelling with me.

026:014 We all fell to the ground; and I heard a voice which said to me in Hebrew, "`Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? You are finding it painful to kick against the ox-goad.'

026:015 "`Who art Thou, Lord?' I asked. "`I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied.

026:016 `But rise, and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you My servant and My witness both as to the things you have already seen and as to those in which I will appear to you.

026:017 I will save you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you to open their eyes,

026:018 that they may turn from darkness to light and from the obedience to Satan to God, in order to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified through faith in Me.'

026:019 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision;